Natural History Books - Vaughan - An Australian Wander-Year

Ballou, Maturin M., Travels Under the Southern Cross, Houghton Mifflin, nd (believed 1888), 2nd edition; original pictorial cloth; xi pp. + 405 pp.; with detailed collector record card and printed bookplate typed for 'ERVIN E REED' to inside front cover and same name pencilled to fep. 613 grams, 20.5 x 13.5 cm

Near fine condition.

Ex libris Ervin E Reed. Acquired Grand Fallon Books, USA, October 2008. The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by a hand-written record card from Mr and Mrs PR.

This lot is from the collection assembled by a man who pursued a lifelong interest in speleology - the study of natural cave systems and he sought out important books on the subject ranging from 18th century classic works to rare pamphlets and offprints. The first book apparently acquired, by way of a gift from a family friend in 1955, when he was living as a young man in Australia and exploring the famed Jenolan Caves in New South Wales. For over fifty years, as he moved around the world, his interest expanded into USA cave systems and those in the United Kingdom and Europe. Many of the books have a pedigree of previous ownership and almost all are accompanied by meticulous index cards that record not only the full bibliographic information for each book but also when, where and from whom it was acquired, together with the price paid; the cards are often punctuated with pithy personal comments that show clearly the depth of interest in the subject. The collection represents an unrivalled opportunity today for collectors and others to acquire rare and important works.

Casteret, Norbert, E-A Martell Explorateur du Monde Souterrain, Gallimard, 1943, 1st edition; pictorial paperback with later glassine sleeve; 234 pp., illustrated; with detailed collector record card and pencilled 'a Monsieur Henri Lelaige / ces jages consacres au createur / et a l'ajatre de la Speleologie / Avec mon [....] cordial sauvering / Norbert Casternet' or similar presentation inscription to fep. 275 grams, 21 x 14.5 cm

Fair condition; front cover detached, spine torn, paper browned and fragile; typical for the era. Rare.

Acquired 2007. The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Accompanied by a hand-written record card from Mr and Mrs PR.

This lot is from the collection assembled by a man who pursued a lifelong interest in speleology - the study of natural cave systems and he sought out important books on the subject ranging from 18th century classic works to rare pamphlets and offprints. The first book apparently acquired, by way of a gift from a family friend in 1955, when he was living as a young man in Australia and exploring the famed Jenolan Caves in New South Wales. For over fifty years, as he moved around the world, his interest expanded into USA cave systems and those in the United Kingdom and Europe. Many of the books have a pedigree of previous ownership and almost all are accompanied by meticulous index cards that record not only the full bibliographic information for each book but also when, where and from whom it was acquired, together with the price paid; the cards are often punctuated with pithy personal comments that show clearly the depth of interest in the subject. The collection represents an unrivalled opportunity today for collectors and others to acquire rare and important works.

Group comprising: Anelli, Franco, Richerche Paletnologiche nella Grotta Betal presso Postumia, 1933 (2 copies); WITH Il Pozzo ossifero delle Cave di Ca Negra presso Punta Slavore nel Vallone di Sicciole, 1933 (2 copies); WITH Conetti di Deiezione di Oligocheti nella Grotta nera di Portumia, 1936; WITH Sfiatoi do Grotta nella Regione Carsica di Postumia, 1936; WITH Boegan, Eugenio, Sullo sviluppo delle richerche speleologiche nella Venezia Giula, 1930; WITH Sulle Explorazioni Speleologiche in Italia, 1933 (2 copies); WITH Catasto delle Grotte Italiane, 1930; WITH Spezzotti, L., Ralazione, 1945 (3 copies); some with detailed collector record cards and ink 'E SIMPSON' stamps to covers or titles. 717 grams total, 17 x 24.2 cm each

Generally fine condition. Most scarce.

The property of Mr and Mrs PR of East Sussex. Thence by descent to family members. Most accompanied by hand-written record cards from Mr and Mrs PR.

This lot is from the collection assembled by a man who pursued a lifelong interest in speleology - the study of natural cave systems and he sought out important books on the subject ranging from 18th century classic works to rare pamphlets and offprints. The first book apparently acquired, by way of a gift from a family friend in 1955, when he was living as a young man in Australia and exploring the famed Jenolan Caves in New South Wales. For over fifty years, as he moved around the world, his interest expanded into USA cave systems and those in the United Kingdom and Europe. Many of the books have a pedigree of previous ownership and almost all are accompanied by meticulous index cards that record not only the full bibliographic information for each book but also when, where and from whom it was acquired, together with the price paid; the cards are often punctuated with pithy personal comments that show clearly the depth of interest in the subject. The collection represents an unrivalled opportunity today for collectors and others to acquire rare and important works.